Sen. Ferrell Haile

Maddy summarySB 2320 allows Tennessee candidates and elected officials to spend up to $12,000 annually from campaign funds for home security at their personal residence. This spending must be reported as "residential security" with required documentation, and audit information related to these expenses is kept confidential. The bill explicitly states these expenditures are not considered personal use of campaign funds under Tennessee law. It directly affects state-level officeholders seeking to cover home security costs through campaign budgets.

Maddy summarySB 2136 classifies illegal online gambling operations - particularly those disguised as free social games using virtual currency - as violations of Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act. It specifically targets "online sweepstakes games" that mimic casino-style gambling (like slot machines or sports betting) by allowing players to buy virtual currency for real-world prizes, which the bill defines as unlawful. The bill expands the attorney general's authority to investigate these operations and grants the sports wagering council broader powers to combat illegal gambling. It also creates penalties under the Consumer Protection Act for operators who facilitate such activities, while exempting legally permitted gaming like the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act.

Maddy summarySB 1762 changes a Tennessee law requiring the Department of Education to publish a directory of apprenticeship program contacts for public high schools. The bill moves the deadline for this publication from September 1 to December 1 each year. This affects the Department of Education directly, as it must now compile and post this contact information later in the school year. The change provides more time for the department to gather and verify the information before making it publicly available on their website. The bill does not create new programs or alter eligibility; it only adjusts the timeline for an existing reporting requirement.

Maddy summarySB 1992 creates a new Class E felony offense for intentionally influencing the outcome of an event when a person or another party has a financial contract with a prediction market that benefits from that outcome. It directly affects individuals using prediction markets - defined as platforms where people trade contracts based on unknown future events - such as sports, elections, or economic indicators. The law prohibits conduct meant to sway results for personal financial gain through these markets, treating violations as serious criminal offenses. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and defines "prediction-market" specifically to clarify the scope of the new crime.

Maddy summarySB 1490 allows local historical boards in Tennessee to lease their land (5+ contiguous acres for crops, less than 5 for hay or similar crops) to farmers. All money earned from these leases must be used solely to preserve historic sites and structures under the board's management. Boards must submit annual reports detailing these leases and how the funds were spent to the Tennessee Historical Commission. This bill directly affects local historical commissions and preservation groups by creating a new revenue stream for maintaining historic properties.

Maddy summarySB 198 allows Tennessee's property assessment division to submit its annual report to the State Board of Equalization electronically instead of in paper format. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, specifically Section 67-1-202(a)(7), to permit this electronic submission method. This change directly affects the property assessment division (which prepares the report) and the State Board of Equalization (which receives it). The law makes no other policy changes - only updates the required report delivery method.

Maddy summarySB 2161 changes Tennessee's bail procedures for defendants who miss court appearances. It removes the requirement for courts to enter bench warrants into state/federal databases for misdemeanor failures involving violence or sex, or for non-violent/non-sexual felonies. The bill extends the deadline for entering felony failure-to-appear warrants from 3 to 10 business days and allows courts to optionally relieve bail bond sureties of liability if the defendant isn't listed in databases within that timeframe. These changes directly affect courts (in their database entry duties), defendants (in fugitive status), and bail bond sureties (in liability relief options).

Maddy summarySB 1939 amends Tennessee law to allow the TennCare division to submit its annual coverage assessment report to the Senate and House finance and health committees more often than quarterly. The bill directly affects the TennCare division (which manages Tennessee's Medicaid program) and the legislative committees overseeing health and budget matters. Its key provision inserts language permitting the division to submit the report on a more frequent basis, rather than requiring the current quarterly schedule. This change streamlines reporting without altering the content or purpose of the assessment.

Maddy summarySB 2533, known as "The Isbill Act," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers and correctional personnel to undergo annual training on criteria for involuntary mental health admissions. It mandates the POST commission and Tennessee corrections institute to develop guidelines and training materials covering both emergency and nonemergency involuntary admissions to inpatient treatment. The bill directly affects all law enforcement officers and correctional staff in Tennessee, requiring them to complete this training annually. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, and amends Tennessee Code Sections 38-8-101, 41-7-101, and 33-6-401.

Maddy summarySB 1945 amends Tennessee's bail laws to allow courts to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and order them held without bail for up to 10 days if they violate release conditions, commit a new offense while released, or disrupt trial proceedings. This directly affects defendants who are already on bail but breach their release terms. The bill requires courts to issue a written order and schedule a hearing before imposing the temporary hold, with a separate hearing needed for permanent bond revocation. The change modifies existing procedures under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Chapter 11, without creating new offenses or penalties.